1. (a)

   1. (1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.

   2. (2)

      1. (i) “Debt” means any money, obligation, claim, or sum due or owed by a student to an institution of higher education.

      2. (ii) “Debt” includes:

         1. 1. Credit extended by or on behalf of the institution that a student is obligated to repay; and

         2. 2. A nonfederal loan or debt agreement that is issued expressly for postsecondary education expenses and that is guaranteed by:

            1. A. An institution of higher education; or
            2. B. A private educational lender that is affiliated with an institution of higher education.
      3. (iii) “Debt” does not include the fee, if any, charged to a student for the actual costs of providing a transcript.
   3. (3) “Student” includes current students and former students of an institution of higher education.

2. (b) An institution of higher education may not:

   1. (1) Refuse to provide a transcript to a student because the student owes a debt;
   2. (2) Condition the issuance of a transcript on the payment of a debt;
   3. (3) Charge a higher fee for obtaining a transcript because a student owes a debt;
   4. (4) Provide less favorable treatment of a transcript request because a student owes a debt; or
   5. (5) Use transcript issuance as a tool for debt collection.

Added by Acts 2023, c. 748, § 1, eff. July 1, 2023; Acts 2023, c. 749, § 1, eff. July 1, 2023.